Washington's flying history

December 29, 2009 10:00 PM

Photo: Aubrey Cohen/seattlepi.com

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Everett's Paine Field is home to two great collections of historic, still-airworthy aircraft: The Flying Heritage Collection and Historic Flight Foundation. Here are aircraft from both collections, starting with the Flying Heritage Collection's Curtiss JN-4D Jenny.

The Jenny was the first mass-produced American aircraft and used as a WWI trainer, with an instructor yelling to the student from the back seat using a tube into his helmet. This Jenny was made in May 1918 for military service and sold back to Curtiss on May 6, 1919 for reconditioning and civilian resale. less

Everett's Paine Field is home to two great collections of... Photo-798395.6207 - seattlepi.com

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Flying Heritage Collection: Polikarpov U-2/PO-2

This was a simple, reliable plane that was originally designed to be a crop duster, used as a trainer before WWII and was made famous during the war by the "Night Witches" -- female pilots who raided German forces at night. This one, made in 1944, flew in WWII and later the Korean War, recovered as a derelict airframe in Belarus and restored by the Polish Aero Club, with the wartime markings of the 46th Guards Regiment. The tail number honors the twenty-three Night Witches who earned "Hero of the Soviet Union" citations, while the lettering on the fuselage translates into "Revenge for Ducia," a tribute to the first Night Witch to be killed in combat. less

Flying Heritage Collection: Polikarpov U-2/PO-2

This was a simple, reliable plane that was originally designed to be a crop duster, used as a trainer before WWII and was made famous during the war by the "Night ... more

This was the world's first single-winged fighter plane with retractable landing gear, requiring 45 turns of a crank, and originally had a closed cockpit, which pilots didn't like. The I-16 was small, light and durable. This one, delivered on July 10, 1940, served on the Eastern Front and was shot down by German fire. It was discovered in Karelia, Russia, in July 1991 and rebuilt at the same factory where it was originally made. less

Flying Heritage Collection: Polikarpov I-16 Type 24 Rata

This was the world's first single-winged fighter plane with retractable landing gear, requiring 45 turns of a crank, and originally had a closed cockpit, ... more

This was a British WWII staple and destroyed more enemy aircraft in the Battle of Britain than the more-famous Supermarine Spitfire, although the Hurricane took on sluggish bombers, rather than fighters. This Hurricane was made in Canada and delivered to the Royal Canadian Air Force on Jan. 22, 1942, but did not see combat. less

Flying Heritage Collection: Hawker Hurricane

This was a British WWII staple and destroyed more enemy aircraft in the Battle of Britain than the more-famous Supermarine Spitfire, although the Hurricane took on ... more

This was Britain's answer to the Messerschmitt 109, with an elliptical wing that boosted maneuverability and cut drag. This one was piloted by Tomas Vybiral, leader of the British-based Czech 312 squadron, in 1942. less

Flying Heritage Collection: Supermarine Spitfire

This was Britain's answer to the Messerschmitt 109, with an elliptical wing that boosted maneuverability and cut drag. This one was piloted by Tomas Vybiral, ... more

This airplane boasted such modern features as an all-metal skin, enclosed cockpit and retractable landing gear and could fly at 290 mph, about 100 mph faster than other military planes of the time. This one was deployed in 1939 and piloted by Eduard Hemmerling, who flew mainly over France and died after crashing his damaged plane in July 1040. In 1988, a man walking on a beach found a wingtip sticking out of the sand. less

Flying Heritage Collection: Messerschmitt Bf109

This airplane boasted such modern features as an all-metal skin, enclosed cockpit and retractable landing gear and could fly at 290 mph, about 100 mph faster than ... more

This was designed to replace earlier fighters, particularly the Messerschmitt Bf 109, and outperformed the British Spitfire in most respects. This airplane entered service in March 1945 It entered service in March of 1945 was assigned to Major Franz GÃ¶tz, who flew it to the RAF base in Flensburg, Germany and surrendered it in May 1945. The aircraft had D-9 wings at one point, but regained its wings in a swap with the Smithsonian, which owned a D-9 with D-13 wings. It does not fly because it is the only Fw 190 D-13 to have survived the war. less

Flying Heritage Collection: Focke-Wulf Fw 190D-13 Dora

This was designed to replace earlier fighters, particularly the Messerschmitt Bf 109, and outperformed the British Spitfire in most respects. This airplane ... more

Lack of material forced Germany to use wood in the flaps of this Focke-Wulf Fw 190D-13 Dora, built in 1945.

Lack of material forced Germany to use wood in the flaps of this Focke-Wulf Fw 190D-13 Dora, built in 1945.

Photo: Aubrey Cohen, Seattlepi.com

Lack of material forced Germany to use wood in the flaps of this... Photo-798423.6207 - seattlepi.com

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Flying Heritage Collection: Fieseler Fi 156-C2 Storch

The Storch featured folding wings for rail transportation to the front lines, because its top speed was slower than a train. Its ability to use short runways and fly at very slow speeds helped in its reconnaissance duties. This Storch was built in Germany in 1943 and used by the Luftwaffe in occupied Europe and on the Russian front. It was found in derelict condition in East Germany in the late 1980s and restored. less

Flying Heritage Collection: Fieseler Fi 156-C2 Storch

The Storch featured folding wings for rail transportation to the front lines, because its top speed was slower than a train. Its ability to use short runways ... more

This was one of the most famous World War II artillery weapons. Here's a video of one in action.

Flying Heritage Collection: German Flak 88

This was one of the most famous World War II artillery weapons. Here's a video of one in action.

Photo: Aubrey Cohen, Seattlepi.com

Flying Heritage Collection: German Flak 88 This was one of the... Photo-798373.6207 - seattlepi.com

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Flying Heritage Collection: Curtiss P-40 Tomahawk

This debuted at the start of WWII and, while not the most-advanced fighter of the war, was cheap to make, with high-speed agility at lower altitudes, dependability and simplicity. This one sold to the British and then given in 1941 to the Soviet Union, which used it in defense of Murmansk. It managed a belly landing near there after having its oil tank punctured by enemy fire on Sept. 27, 1942 and was abandoned and later found thanks to satellite photos. It is the world's only remaining P-40C in flying condition and has been repainted, using movie paint, in the colors of the Flying Tigers â€“ the 1st American Volunteer Group of the Chinese Air Force â€“ which used the P-40. less

Flying Heritage Collection: Curtiss P-40 Tomahawk

This debuted at the start of WWII and, while not the most-advanced fighter of the war, was cheap to make, with high-speed agility at lower altitudes, ... more

Tanks and airplanes sit on display during a preview of the new Hangar 2 Friday, April 5, 2013, at the Flying Heritage Collection in Everett. Hangar 2, a 26,000-square-foot expansion to the museum, is set to open to the public on Friday, April 12. The Flying Heritage Collection is Paul G. Allen's collection of rare military aircraft and land units, comprised of examples from Germany, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States. less

Tanks and airplanes sit on display during a preview of the new Hangar 2 Friday, April 5, 2013, at the Flying Heritage Collection in Everett. Hangar 2, a 26,000-square-foot expansion to the museum, is set to ... more

Photo: JORDAN STEAD

Tanks and airplanes sit on display during a preview of the new... Photo-4429367.6207 - seattlepi.com

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The North American P-51 Mustang provided long-range escorts that enabled American heavy bombers to reach Germany.

The North American P-51 Mustang provided long-range escorts that enabled American heavy bombers to reach Germany.

This P-51 was delivered to the United States Army Air Forces on Jan. 26, 1945 and based in Raydon, England with the 8th Army Air Force, where it was assigned to Lt. Harrison B. "Bud" Tordoff, who Named the plane Upapa Epops, which is the Latin name for the Common Hoopoe bird. less

This P-51 was delivered to the United States Army Air Forces on Jan. 26, 1945 and based in Raydon, England with the 8th Army Air Force, where it was assigned to Lt. Harrison B. "Bud" Tordoff, who Named the ... more

Photo: JORDAN STEAD

This P-51 was delivered to the United States Army Air Forces on... Photo-4429403.6207 - seattlepi.com

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Tordoff supported daylight bombing raids and later ground operations in
Europe and managed to shoot down a German jet. It served in the Swedish
and Dominican Republic air forces after WWII. Tordoff was reunited with
this plane at the Flying Heritage Collection in 2003. less

Tordoff supported daylight bombing raids and later ground operations in
Europe and managed to shoot down a German jet. It served in the Swedish
and Dominican Republic air forces after WWII. Tordoff was ... more

This was the biggest, heaviest and priciest single-engine fighter of WWII, with eight .50-caliber machine guns and heavy armor. This one, delivered on June 27, 1945, was placed in storage until March 1948, when it was assigned to an Air National Guard squadron. It is painted to replicate the "Tallahassee Lassie" of Seattle-born Col. Ralph C. Jenkins, who led the 510th Fighter Squadron in England and then through Europe to Germany. It's shown here in the museum's service bay. less

Flying Heritage Collection: Republic P-47D Thunderbolt

This was the biggest, heaviest and priciest single-engine fighter of WWII, with eight .50-caliber machine guns and heavy armor. This one, delivered on June ... more

This was a simple fighter without armor or self-sealing fuel tanks, but was maneuverable and managed to down many Allied planes, particularly early in WWII, and ended up as the Kamikaze mainstay. This one entered service in January 1943, was sent to Truk Island in the Pacific Ocean and later it served on Rabaul in Papua New Guinea. It was found in dense jungle four miles from Vunakanau airfield on Rabaul shortly after the end of the war and was repaired by Japanese soldiers. It is the earliest remaining Ki-43 and the only Type I. less

Flying Heritage Collection: Nakajima Ki-43 Hayabusa

This was a simple fighter without armor or self-sealing fuel tanks, but was maneuverable and managed to down many Allied planes, particularly early in WWII, ... more

The Zero could outmaneuver and outrun any Allied fighter at the start of WWII. This one joined service in late 1941 and took part in attacks on the Philippines and Borneo. It was found in a Russian airfield and is being restored to flying order, with a Pratt & Whitney engine. less

Flying Heritage Collection: Mitsubishi A6M3-22 Zero-Sen

The Zero could outmaneuver and outrun any Allied fighter at the start of WWII. This one joined service in late 1941 and took part in attacks on the ... more

The Lancaster was the most successful British bomber aircraft of WWII, entering service in 1942. This front section comes from a Lancaster that was completed too late to see service in the war and was then converted into a flying test bed for the Armstrong Siddeley Python engine before being retired in 1968. less

Flying Heritage Collection: Avro Lancaster

The Lancaster was the most successful British bomber aircraft of WWII, entering service in 1942. This front section comes from a Lancaster that was completed too late ... more

This is an air-launched, piloted V-1, intended for a pilot to guide toward its target and bail out at the last moment -- an unlikely proposition. It killed several pilots during landing in flight tests but was never used in combat. This one was discovered in an underground missile factory whose original entrance was sealed by the Soviet Army after WWII. less

Flying Heritage Collection: Fieseler FI 103R Reichenberg

This is an air-launched, piloted V-1, intended for a pilot to guide toward its target and bail out at the last moment -- an unlikely proposition. It ... more

This aircraft had a rocket engine with enough fuel for about eight minutes of flight and then would glide back to the ground. It used its small propeller to run a generator that powered its instruments. less

Flying Heritage Collection: Messerschmitt 163B Komet

This aircraft had a rocket engine with enough fuel for about eight minutes of flight and then would glide back to the ground. It used its small propeller to ... more

This Messerschmitt 163B Komet was towed as a glider to Husum Luftwaffe base in Northern
Germany, on Dec. 18, 1944, and may or may not have seen combat before
British soldiers captured it on May 8, 1945. It is one of only a dozen
surviving examples. less

This Messerschmitt 163B Komet was towed as a glider to Husum Luftwaffe base in Northern
Germany, on Dec. 18, 1944, and may or may not have seen combat before
British soldiers captured it on May 8, 1945. It ... more

Photo: Aubrey Cohen, Seattlepi.com

This Messerschmitt 163B Komet was towed as a glider to Husum... Photo-798442.6207 - seattlepi.com

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A view of the rocket engine of the Messerschmitt 163B Komet.

A view of the rocket engine of the Messerschmitt 163B Komet.

Photo: Aubrey Cohen, Seattlepi.com

A view of the rocket engine of the Messerschmitt 163B Komet. Photo-798445.6207 - seattlepi.com

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Flying Heritage Collection: Scaled Composites SpaceShipOne

Microsoft co-founder and Flying Heritage Collection owner Paul Allen sponsored SpaceShipOne, which won the $10 million Ansari X Prize in 2004 as the first civilian, low-cost spaceship to reach suborbital flight (at least 62 miles) with three people (or their equivalent weight) twice within two weeks. A White Knight jet carried SpaceShipOne to 50,000 and the rocket took it the the rest of the way. This is a replica, made from the actual SpaceShipOne molds, of the original, which Allen donated to the National Air and Space Museum. less

Flying Heritage Collection: Scaled Composites SpaceShipOne

Microsoft co-founder and Flying Heritage Collection owner Paul Allen sponsored SpaceShipOne, which won the $10 million Ansari X Prize in 2004 as the ... more

The Flying Heritage Collection acquired this Ukranian Mikoyan MiG-29UB Fulcrum fighter from the Historic Flight Foundation. Click on for a shot of the MiG in flight, followed by photos of the Historic Flight Foundation's collection. less

The Flying Heritage Collection acquired this Ukranian Mikoyan MiG-29UB Fulcrum fighter from the Historic Flight Foundation. Click on for a shot of the MiG in flight, followed by photos of the Historic Flight ... more